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The number 12 is often interpreted in various ways by different cultures: some see it as a collective responsible for shaping individuals, while others believe each of the 12 figures has a specific role—like shaping ears, eyes, limbs, teaching laughter, or teaching speech. In the Southern region, there's a belief that the 12 figures take turns overseeing childbirth over 12 years, following the zodiac cycle.
According to Vietnamese customs, when a child turns one month old, a ceremony called 'đầy tháng' is held to express gratitude to the spiritual mother and to ask for blessings for the child. It's also when the child is given a name, known as the 'thôi nôi' ceremony.
2. Offerings to the Spiritual Mother:
Red sticky rice: 7 handfuls for a boy, 9 for a girl.
Freshwater crab: 7 if it's a boy, 9 if it's a girl (can be substituted with regular crab).
Boiled eggs dyed red: 7 for a boy, 9 for a girl.
Fresh flowers, fruits, cakes, candies, gold and silver coins, betel nuts, and candles, all arranged on a high altar to worship the Spiritual Mother.
3. Invocation and Offering to the Spiritual Mother:
Namo Amitabha Buddha!
Namo Amitabha Buddha!
Namo Amitabha Buddha!
Respectfully,
FIRST HEAVENLY MOTHER DIVINE MASTER FIRST DEITY GREAT HEAVENLY MASTER SECOND HEAVENLY DEITY GREAT DEITY THIRD HEAVENLY MOTHER GREAT DEITY TWELVE DIVINE BEINGS THIRTY-SIX HEAVENLY MAIDENS THIRTY-SIX PALACE LORDS HONORED DEITIES
Today is the day of ……, month of ……, year ……. My spouse and I, as ……, have given birth to a child named …… Today, on this auspicious day of full moon (or one month, one year celebration), we humbly offer flowers, offerings, and various items in front of the shrine, before the assembly of respected deities, presenting our sincere prayers: We beseech the Ten Directions Buddhas, Saints, Deity Mothers, Celestial Beings, Earth Gods, Land Spirits, Ancestors, both within and beyond, to bless our child born on ……, to be healthy and prosperous.
We bow to the Deity Mothers, the Respected Deities, who grace our presence, witness our sincere offerings, and protect our child, ensuring good health, sound sleep, rapid growth, free from illness, disability, misfortune, adversity, and limitations, safeguarding our child's destiny to be peaceful, robust, and prosperous throughout lifetimes. May our family be blessed with peace, prosperity, benevolence, and abundance, with karma dissolved and four seasons boundless. We offer our utmost respect.
Namo Amitabha Buddha!
Namo Amitabha Buddha!
Namo Amitabha Buddha!
